What is rigged mesh, and how is it different from non-rigged?
Rigged items are bound to your avatar's skeleton and deform with your shape, but cannot be resized or moved with the edit tool; non-rigged items just sit on an attachment point and can be adjusted by hand.
What rigged means
A rigged item has its mesh bound to your avatar's skeleton. Bodies, heads, most newer clothes and many newer hairstyles are rigged.
Rigged items move and deform together with your avatar: when your shape gets bigger or smaller, they follow, so they generally fit your body once worn.
What non-rigged means
A non-rigged item is just attached to an attachment point (head, chest, hand and so on), like a small object stuck to you. It does not deform with your shape, so you adjust its position, size and rotation yourself.
The differences
| Rigged | Non-rigged | |
|---|---|---|
| Follows your shape | Yes | No |
| Resize and move with Edit | No | Yes |
| How to fit it | Buy the right size, or use the creator's sizes / HUD | Right-click → Edit and adjust |
What it means for you
- Hair: rigged hair cannot be resized, so if it clips you have to switch sizes (S, M, L...). Non-rigged hair can be edited for position, rotation and size.
- Clothes and restraints: rigged ones are made for specific bodies, so check which body they fit before buying.
- Adjusting by hand: right-click the item, choose Edit, use X, Y, Z for position, hold Ctrl for rotation, and Ctrl+Shift for scale. This only works on non-rigged items.
How to tell? Check the listing for "rigged" or "non-rigged". If unsure, wear it and try to scale it in Edit; rigged items won't respond.
Related: What is Alpha, and why do clothes and restraints need it?